Immokalee Mission Trip. by Kurt Bagwell Jr. of Ann Arbor, Michigan, we participated

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1 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN C H U R C H O F D E L R A Y B E A C H The Community Church by the Sea T S he pire February 2011 FAU Memory and Wellness Seminar Breakfast Thursday, March 3, 2011 ~ 9 to 10:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall Glenda Connolly, psychotherapist with the FAU Memory and Wellness Center, Boca Raton, will discuss the complex needs of individuals with memory disorders, their caregivers and their families. She will also outline the extensive services available at the Memory and Wellness Center, such as Comprehensive Memory Evaluation, Sustaining the Caregiver Programs, Counseling, Senior Driving Evaluations, Research, and Studies available from pharmaceutical companies, Community Education and Outreach, Adult Day Care and Volunteering. The topic of Home Health Care will also be addressed by Glenda s assistant, Michelle Cooper, BS, MSW intern. At the end of December, eleven youths and three advisors from our church traveled to Immokalee, Florida, for our winter mission trip. Along with the youth group of the First Presbyterian Church Immokalee Mission Trip by Kurt Bagwell Jr. of Ann Arbor, Michigan, we participated in a number of work projects, ranging from repairing the siding on trailers, installing insulation and ceilings, and picking zucchini on a farm. While simply working and helping the people of Immokalee was a phenomenal experience in itself, there were many more opportunities for spiritual growth offered when we returned from the worksites. In the evenings Aaron and Jim, the youth leader from Ann Arbor, led us in fellowship through song Continued on Page 2 Ash Wednesday Service Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten Season when we ready ourselves for Easter. Join us on Wednesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. We will read scripture, raise our voices in song, and consider the gift of God s grace. Christmas Eve Offering Update Mission Outreach Committee Thank you, thank you, thank you for your very generous Christmas Eve Offering. The Mission Outreach Committee selected three local families who, due to circumstances and despite their efforts, need assistance to get back on their feet. With your support, we should be able to assist all seven families who were referred to us for consideration, providing each of them with hope and opportunity. We will share their stories with you in a future Spire. INSIDE... Deacons Corner Page 3 Kim Winker Church Improvement.... Page 5 Barbara Vanderkay

2 Continued from Page 1 and worship, before we split into small groups and discussed our days on the worksites. For me personally, I went into this mission trip with one question: What is more important for the Christian soul; good works or faith in Christ? As time progressed and we delved further into our mission experience, I came to the realization that asking that question was no different from asking which blade is more important in a pair of scissors. By participating in this mission trip, we as a youth group were able to act out our faith in Christ. Our good works and faith went hand in hand, as our good works were a direct result of our faith in the Lord and our involvement in this church. For me, and I m sure for many of the other youth who went to Immokalee, the week was one of the greatest spiritual growth experiences of my life, and in the end, none of it would have happened without the amazing care of this church community. It is my hope that our youth group will be able to participate in many more mission trips like this in the future. So thank you for all of your love and support Offering Envelopes To those who picked up your box of 2011 Offering Envelopes before Christmas: Thank you! However, many boxes of 2011 Offering Envelopes have not been picked up by the assigned contributors. You may pick up your box in the church office, or let us know and we will mail them to you. Your use of Offering Envelopes helps to ensure that you are properly credited for your contributions to our church and that they are properly reported in your annual contribution statement. The white numbered envelopes are used for pledge payments to support the General Fund. The Special Offering envelopes for Initial Offering, Per Capita, Blanket Sunday, Deacons (4), One Great Hour of Sharing, Maundy Thursday, Easter, and Christmas, give you additional opportunities to support the church and her special missions. If you do not wish to receive Offering Envelopes in future years, please let the church office know, because this will help us to reduce operating costs. Thank you for using your envelopes! Presbyterian Women Tea On Friday, February 25th, the Presbyterian Women will host their annual Tea at the Saint Andrews Club on A1A. All ladies and guests of the church are invited to attend. Tickets will go on sale in the Courtyard beginning Sunday, February 6th. The price of the tickets will be $30 and the proceeds of this event will go to local charities. This is a major fund raiser for the Presbyterian Women. Don t forget hats are optional! 2 C hurchs taff Aaron Janklow, M.Div. Associate Pastor Jo Garnett, M.C.E. Associate for Senior Ministries Donald J. Cannarozzi, M.M., J.D. Organist / Director of Music James K. Poch, S.M.M. Associate Director of Music Jen Buce Children s Ministry Coordinator Christine Davis Accountant Aaron Strippel Head Custodian Nancy Fine Office Manager T hes pire EDITOR: Tim Knapp Paula Hare Secretary Rita Avery Custodian First Presbyterian Church 33 Gleason Street Delray Beach, FL phone: fax: administrator@firstdelray.com web page: LAYOUT: Bonnie Lallky-Seibert PROOFREADER: Barbara Vanderkay SPECIAL THANKS: Printers Choice If you or a family member are hospitalized, please notify the church office. Even if you give the name of the church upon admission, the hospital will NOT notify us.

3 The Winter Mission Trip by Rev. Aaron Janklow What better way to end 2010 than by doing mission work? This is how eleven youths and three advisors ended this past year. In between Christmas and New Year s we traveled across Alligator Alley to Immokalee, FL and worked on three different mobile home sites. One group removed vinyl siding in order to install a vapor barrier and then resided the entire home, while the two other groups installed insulation and ceilings in occupied mobile homes. One group of youth even worked in the field picking zucchini for a day. One of the most striking moments for me came on our drive home. After traveling along the canals of the Everglades from Immokalee to Alligator Alley, and then onto I95, it was when we hit A1A in Delray Beach that I realized the stark contrast of living that exists within just two and a half hours of driving. The van full of youth I was driving remarked about this as well. It was not that this was unexpected, as I ve had similar experiences right here within Delray Beach, but it was also my first trip to the farming communities that exist west of the A t l a n t i c Ocean coastline. I was very proud of our youth, and I know that many within the congregation are as well. They work hard on these trips, and exemplify a genuine desire to do their best and help the homeowners on their work sites. Each night during our reflections, I was impressed with the ways they were able to articulate their faith and the importance of these trips in their lives. I also want to thank Amber Forrest and Rett Talbot, as well as all our youth, who are fine examples to each other and all those they encounter. Deacons Corner by Kim Winker With 2011 well underway, the congregation welcomes a new set of Deacons this month. They soon will be suited up in their navy blue and white. We are also grateful for those outgoing Deacons who have served the church in various ways and greeted you many Sunday mornings. On behalf of the Board of Deacons and the congregation, we appreciate the following Deacons for their service: Laddie Bondor has been an active Deacon for the last six years and served as the chairman of the Special Events Committee for five of those years as well as the Board s Treasurer this past year. As a Deacon for the past three years, Karlton Brown used his many talents as the chairman of the Emergency Preparedness Committee and was the Board of Deacons Moderator in Shirley Kay served the past six years as a Deacon and enjoyed her many roles including helping the Christmas Tree Committee, chairing the Shut-in Gift Committee, chairing the Benevolence Committee and serving a short time as interim vice moderator. 3 Etta Wilkinson also generously gave her time and talent as a Deacon for the past six years. She served one year as the Board s Secretary. After being a Deacon over a decade ago, Rett Talbot joined us again for this past year. We are appreciative of his influence and dedication he demonstrated as a Deacon. We also lovingly remember Deacons Scott Ellington and George Theobald whom we lost this year. We were blessed to have known them and to have served alongside them. All these dedicated Deacons have made a difference in our church, and we are blessed to have them in the congregation. Thank you for your years of service!

4 From the Choir Loft by Jim Filosa "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2 Corinthians 3:17 February is the shortest month of the year, yet it has so much to celebrate and be thankful for. It is most likely remembered more for Valentine's Day, where we traditionally celebrate and recognize our love for family and friends and secondly for the celebration of President's Day, Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Flag Day, etc. I would like to propose that there is a third and more important component, that should be recognized, the Love for our Lord Jesus Christ. I truly believe that we cannot celebrate the birth of these important historical figures, nor the remembrance of Flag Day and The Constitution of the United States, without acknowledging the impact and influence of our Lord Jesus on the Founding Fathers. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. In a letter to the Officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massachusetts on October 11, 1798, President John Adams writes: While our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world; while she continues sincere, and incapable of insidious and impious policy, we shall have the strongest reason to rejoice in the local destination assigned us by Providence Because we have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions, unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. What is it that will keep America great? People who are willing to humble themselves, to serve, to take up the cross and follow Jesus Christ, to stand for right when others are compromising, to lay down their lives that others might be Free! Your Chancel Choir will be preparing special patriotic music whose theme is America The Dream Goes On to be presented on Sunday, February 20th. Please come and bring your friends for a very memorable worship service. And hold the flag of freedom high. Until next time. See you in the Choir Loft! What is Love? by Jen Buce Children s Ministry Coordinator According to 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. With the celebration of Valentine s Day; which for children is candy galore and the exchange of cards and for adults special dinners, jewels, and maybe a new engagement for a lucky lady; I thought it appropriate to talk about love. God reminds us that love is not celebrated on one day out of the year, but every day. God teaches us that love is pure, it is never wrong, and it will never fail you. 1 Corinthians 13:6-8 goes on to say It does not rejoice in wrong doing, but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always hopes, always trusts, always 4 perseveres. Love never fails. As a fireman, my father was away from home every third day. A tradition began when I was a little girl to end each phone conversation between parent and child with I love you. These three little simple words are so powerful and can never be said enough. God gave us so much love to give to each other and we should be sharing, teaching, and expressing it each day of our lives. Remember, no matter what is happening in this world, always wrap your arms around your loved ones, especially your little ones, and tell them how much you love them.

5 Stephen Ministers Lighten the Load by David Fellows Despite being in his ninety s and having heart problems, Norman s mind was as sharp as a tack. His wife had died several years ago and he had survived all of his family members. Living in his own condo, Norman s inability to drive contributed to his isolation and loneliness. Although very friendly, his neighbors were frequently away and his only regular visitors were his visiting nurse and his CNA. Norman liked to nap on the sofa in his living room, but it was becoming more and more difficult for him to get on and off it because of its height. In an effort to solve the problem, his visiting nurse asked a friend who was a carpenter to lend a hand. When the day came to fix the sofa, the nurse introduced the two men who immediately began to form a bond. The carpenter lowered the sofa and came back on other occasions to take care of a few odds and ends that made Norman s daily life easier. After the chores were complete, the two would visit. Norman would talk about his wife, his life up North, his concerns about his health and his love of classical music. He always expressed his appreciation for the visits. As his health continued to fail, the time came for Norman to move into a nursing home. But the carpenter continued to visit. With both his eyesight and his heart failing, the carpenter made sure that there was a CD player and a supply of classical music CD s for Norman to listen to and he kept after the nursing staff to make sure they checked on it. How Norman loved the intimacy and comfort of human touch. He would greet the carpenter with a hand shake but would not relinquish that hand until it was time for them to part. It seemed like the only way the carpenter could get his hand back was to pray. It really didn t seem to matter how, or what, the carpenter prayed; the prayer and knowing that the carpenter would be back always brought Norman a sense of security. Knowing that he was always in God s loving Presence brought him peace. Whether the carpenter was there, or not, Norman knew he would not die alone. Norman was not a member of our church and never knew that he was being seen by a Stephen Minister. God made the connection through a caring visiting nurse. If you know someone who could use some support, don t make the mistake of thinking that Stephen Ministers are limited to serving members of our own congregation. Christ works through Stephen Ministers to support anyone who needs it. Church Improvement by Barbara Vanderkay We are very thankful to report that the final figure for the Holly Days Bazaar in November now stands at $17, It is gratifying to be able to surpass last year s total even though it is only by some $250. We can all be proud of what this truly all-church event can do in such discouraging economic times. The bazaar ushers in the Christmas spirit for us; it is a happy occasion, as we look ahead to our Holiday traditions. Now February is upon us, bringing the work, the cooperation, and the camaraderie of the Step-Above- Rummage Sale. Once again we bring in lots of members and friends to help. It you haven t already done so, please mark your calendars on the sale days of Wednesday, February 9th from 1 to 3 p.m. for church members and loyal winter attendees at worship; Thursday, February 10th, Friday, February 11th, and Saturday, February 12th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the general public. Donations will be accepted at Fellowship Hall from 9:30 a.m. to noon weekdays and Saturdays, through Monday, February 7th. Please respect these times and dates to cut down on cluttering around Fellowship Hall. Costume jewelry may be brought in at any time until Monday the 7th and given to a worker. We need lots of volunteers, both men and women. Please fill in the signup sheet in a Sunday Bulletin so we can make sure you will be listed for the right time and place. If you don t feel 5 you can work a whole day, please come for half days. Just let us know your preferences. Our rummage sale has a wonderful reputation in the community. We are repeatedly praised for presenting the best sale in the area by some of the real rummage sale aficionados. I know we will all pull together again, because that s the way we are at First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach. Celebration of Eternal Life Our Deepest Sympathy as a congregation is extended to the families of the following members upon the death of their loved ones: Grace Colwell December 19, 2010

6 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN C H U R C H O F D E L R A Y B E A C H The Community Church by the Sea 33 Gleason Street, Delray Beach, Florida Sunday Morning Worship Services 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. Please join us on Sunday mornings as we worship the Living God together. NonProfit Org. U.S. Postage PAID West Palm Beach, FL Permit #3064 This newsletter is available online at If you are interested in receiving an electronic copy of this newsletter, please Nancy Fine at nancyfine@covad.net. Church School Adult Church School 10 a.m. Education Hour Sunday School 10 a.m. Worship Hour Sunday School 11 a.m. Youth Fellowship 5 p.m. Save The Date ~ Feb. 4th Mark your calendars. One of this generation s great organists, Fred Swann, will be playing one of his last recitals at our church before he goes into full retirement. Fred is the Organist Emeritus of the Crystal Cathedral and the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, and Organ Artist-in-residence at St. Margaret s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California. The concert will be held in our Sanctuary on Friday, February 4th at 7 p. m. Tickets will be sold at the door. Come hear this legendary organist.